DUBAI CARES PAVILION
THEME: The Future is Human
SIZE: 1,040 sqm
CLIENT: Dubai Cares
DESIGN: Pico International, Pico Production Ltd.
FABRICATION: Pico International, Builmark Contracting LLC
PHOTOS: Ahmad Alnaji Photography
The most common response from those who visit the Dubai Cares Pavilion is, “It’s not what I expected from a charitable organization!” What at first was not a priority among Expo 2020 attendees, word of this “Secret Pavilion” has spread through social media and word-of-mouth thanks to its unexpected activations that cater to everyone. It has become a sought-after destination for students and parents, as well as professionals and world leaders. So with all 200 pavilions connecting minds and creating millions of possible futures, how has Dubai Cares, a philanthropic organization, done its part to connect minds and spark real change for the future?
At the core, the idea behind the pavilion is to have each visitor, no matter the age, unravel their individual and unique potential by immersing themselves in the transformative power of education. The pavilion encourages them to overcome misconceptions, unknown fears, and perceived personal limitations both now and tomorrow, all under the theme “The Future is Human.”
Three main activations targeting different age groups offer equal levels of engagement. In the Roaring Rage activation, young children can do exactly what they are usually told not to do: scream! In this activity, each child is encouraged to feel out loud, explore their own voice, express what they truly feel, and find their confidence. A “mood-o-meter” on the side displays the power of their voices.
The Future of Education activation targets those age 13+ via a series of interactive virtual-reality lessons on art, space, and anatomy, offering an up-close-and-personal educational experience and providing a glimpse into a new dimension of remote learning.
Finally, in the Skills of the Future activation, visitors are seated in space-like pods that have an intelligent simulator featuring a human-skills development platform that helps prepare young people for the jobs of the future. Their strengths are identified through a short survey that allows them to learn about themselves and find out what jobs they may be best suited for.
Various interactive workshops are also available on the upper level of the pavilion to further reinforce Dubai Cares’ focuses on the transformative power of education. But what makes the pavilion truly special is that it is a place where guests’ minds truly connect, not just with others but also with participants’ own thoughts and potential, while underscoring the fact that they all belong in a thriving future.
